Malapascua Island, located off the northern coast of Cebu in the Philippines, is a diver’s paradise renowned for its diverse marine life and stunning underwater landscapes. This small island offers an unforgettable diving experience, attracting enthusiasts from around the world. Here’s a comprehensive guide to fun diving in Malapascua, detailing each dive site and what makes them special.
The most famous dive site in Malapascua, known globally for its regular sightings of thresher sharks. These majestic creatures, with their long, whip-like tails, come to this underwater plateau for cleaning at dawn. Divers need to start early, often before sunrise, to catch a glimpse of these elusive sharks. The site also features manta rays, devil rays, and a variety of pelagic fish.
Depth: 20-28 meters
Experience Level: Advanced Open Water (AOW) or higher
Marine Life: Thresher sharks, manta rays, devil rays, barracudas, lionfish, batfish, cuttlefish, mantis shrimp, moray eels, nudibranchs, octopuses, pygmy seahorses, scorpionfish, stonefish
Another hotspot for shark enthusiasts. This site offers the chance to see hammerhead sharks, especially between December and April. The dive site is a smaller plateau compared to Monad Shoal but provides a thrilling experience with its steep drop-offs and abundant marine life.
Depth: 12-40 meters
Experience Level: AOW or higher
Marine Life: Hammerhead sharks, thresher sharks, devil rays, yellowfin tuna, barracudas, unicorn fish
A marine reserve and sanctuary, famous for its underwater tunnels and caverns. This site is perfect for those who enjoy exploring unique underwater topography. Divers can encounter white-tip reef sharks, sea snakes, and a variety of cephalopods. The island is also known for its vibrant macro life, making it a favorite among underwater photographers.
Depth: 10-30 meters
Experience Level: Open Water (OW) or higher
Marine Life: White-tip reef sharks, sea snakes, cuttlefish, nudibranchs, pygmy seahorses, frogfish, octopuses
A sunken ferry that went down during a typhoon in 1988. This site offers an exciting dive for those interested in wreck diving. The wreck has become an artificial reef, attracting a diverse array of marine life. Divers can explore the remains of the ship, which is now home to schools of fish and various invertebrates.
Depth: 18-32 meters
Experience Level: AOW or higher
Marine Life: Schools of fish, lionfish, scorpionfish, nudibranchs, moray eels
Known for its evening dives, where divers can witness the mating dance of the mandarin fish. This site is shallow and perfect for night dives, offering a unique experience as the reef comes alive with nocturnal creatures.
Depth: 5-12 meters
Experience Level: OW or higher
Marine Life: Mandarin fish, seahorses, pipefish, nudibranchs, crabs, shrimps
Located on the northwest corner of Malapascua and features a rock outcrop surrounded by vibrant coral gardens. This site is ideal for divers of all levels and offers a mix of macro and pelagic species.
Depth: 5-20 meters
Experience Level: OW or higher
Marine Life: Frogfish, nudibranchs, scorpionfish, lionfish, schools of jacks and barracudas
This dramatic underwater landscape, featuring steep walls and overhangs. This site is great for spotting larger pelagic species and offers excellent visibility.
Depth: 10-30 meters
Experience Level: OW or higher
Marine Life: Barracudas, trevallies, groupers, snappers, nudibranchs
A day trip away from Malapascua and offers pristine diving conditions with crystal-clear waters and vibrant coral reefs. The island is famous for its long sandbar and is a perfect spot for both diving and snorkeling.
Depth: 5-30 meters
Experience Level: OW or higher
Marine Life: Turtles, reef sharks, barracudas, jacks, nudibranchs
A less frequented dive site but offers a unique diving experience with its deep walls and abundant marine life. This site is ideal for advanced divers looking for a more challenging dive.
Depth: 12-40 meters
Experience Level: AOW or higher
Marine Life: Sharks, rays, tuna, barracudas, nudibranchs
Malapascua Island is a must-visit destination for diving enthusiasts. Its unique combination of thrilling shark encounters, rich marine biodiversity, and diverse dive sites ensures an unforgettable experience. Whether you’re an avid diver or simply looking for a tropical getaway, Malapascua Island promises adventure and tranquility in equal measure.